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Sunday, Jul 06, 2008
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Shrine fire triggers protests

Shujaat Bukhari

Many injured as police, CRPF use force to disperse demonstrators

— PHOTO: Nissar Ahmad

The Jinab Sahib Soura where a fire broke out on Saturday.

SRINAGAR: Several people were injured when the police and the Central Reserve Police Force used force to disperse demonstrators who were protesting against “laxity” on the part of authorities in preventing a fire in a shrine here on Saturday.

Some journalists were also injured.

Eyewitnesses said nine people were injured as they struggled to douse the flames in the shrine, Jenab Sahab Soura, which houses a relic of the Holy Prophet. Both locals and the police confirm that the relic is safe.

The shrine caught fire after a blast at 12.45 p.m., and it engulfed the ceiling on the second storey.

“We tried to douse the flames. But, it was difficult as the fire spread quickly,” said a resident.

“One of the youths fell down while removing sheets, and several others were injured as debris on them,” he said.

The locals blamed the police for “failing to protect” the premises despite round-the-clock guard in the shrine. They attacked the guardroom where the police have been stationed, burnt the belongings of the guards and snatched two rifles.

Later, the people gathered in Soura and other parts and staged protests. The police resorted to a lathi charge and burst teargas shells. The pitched battles continued for some time. At least 10 people were injured.

CRPF personnel attacked journalists who had gone to the shrine to cover the incident. Many of them were beaten up with rifle butts and canes. Photographers’ equipment was damaged. Fifteen journalists were injured, some of them seriously. They have been admitted to hospital.

The journalists have condemned the CRPF action and demanded a high-level inquiry.

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